Split-Hub Couplings: Advantages and Applications

As a manufacturer of couplings with over 60 years of innovation, KTR is always seeking to improve on existing designs.

Split-hub designs, such as the machined steel type ROTEX A-H, have been a part of our offering for decades. However, with industry demands for new efficiencies and cost savings ever increasing, KTR have expanded the split-hub concept to feature in other key product lines.

ROTEX A-H

BoWex GT

RIGIFLEX-N A-H

REVOLEX KX-D Split

A split-hub coupling design features hubs which are split into halves. This type of design offers easy assemblies on and off of shafts, resulting in simplified maintenance processes and reduced downtimes. The basic characteristics of any split-hub design are two hub halves which come away from each other via a horizontal split (parallel to the orientation of the shafts). This effectively allows the hub halves to drop away from the shafts without need to move drive or driven components such as pumps or motors.

Assembly is achieved by way of a minimum two threaded screws connecting the hubs halves together, potentially with a clamping effect (dependant on the specific design) which advantageous for some applications.

Some split design hubs, such as ROTEX S-H, can even be supplied in a pilot bored state, allowing further flexibility for maintenance programs. It’s worth mentioning here that the positioning of the clamping screws in the hub diminishes the maximum permissible bore for a given hub size, due to a reduction in the hub material available for boring.

Maintenance Advantages of Split-Hub Couplings

While split-hub couplings are not suitable for every application, they do present several advantages, particularly when it comes to maintenance.

Since the hubs are designed as two halves, they can be easily removed to service the coupling. This means that heavier components can remain in their original positions, which simplifies realignment issues and eliminates the need for heavy lifting equipment – often the most costly and time consuming part of servicing large couplings. In contrast, for smaller sizes, the split design can often allow disassembly for applications with tight spatial restrictions or restrictive safety covers.

It should also be noted that existing couplings must still be removed before being replaced with split-hub designs, so the benefits of the split design are often not always initially experienced. Which leads to another consideration, that the benefits of a split hub coupling design are often experienced long term. The higher selling price typically associated with producing a split hub, in comparison to a standard equivalent, must be weighed against the maintenance cost savings seen over the life of the coupling.

In the months to come, we will be taking a closer look at each KTR split hub design and the associated benefits and applications. Stay tuned - or give us a call if you’d like to discuss whether split-hub couplings are right for you.